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213th Chapter: Abnormal Party (2)

The forces of darkness crossed the sea and set foot in Aligieri Forest.

They were the same beings who, 300 years ago, caused tyranny in this empire’s territory, resulting in thousands of casualties.

They harbored a distinct hostility towards humans among spirits and claimed to foresee the destruction of this continent by humans in the future.

To prevent that, they aimed to reduce the human population, even at the cost of their own lives.

Even now, that objective had not changed.

“It’s been a while since I’ve stood on this land.”

A man shook off the water at the coast as he stepped onto dry land.

He was cloaked in dark energy, followed closely by a multitude of spirits.

“How do you all feel?”

The man spoke in a friendly manner to the fearsome spirits behind him.

Among them, a massive bat-like dark spirit knelt before him.

“We are also deeply moved, our King.”

The bat-like spirit bowed its head to the man.

He was none other than ‘Dracma,’ known as the highest-ranking dark spirit.

Each spirit king had two top-tier spirits that served faithfully as their right and left hands.

From Dracma’s presence, one could guess who he served.

“I wonder how much this place has changed in my absence; I’d like to take a look.”

Dark Spirit King Crogiri.

With each step he took, a vast darkness draped like footprints behind him.

Despite being merely an avatar resembling a human body rather than his true form, he surpassed the nearby top-tier spirits.

“Your Majesty, I have something to report.”

At that moment, a black lizard crawled up from the shadow where he stood.

The lizard, standing on two legs like a human, covered its mouth and nose with dark energy.

Equipped with a black-purple sword at its waist, it resembled a ninja from the eastern lands.

Like Dracma, it was a top-tier spirit protecting Dark Spirit King Crogiri: Leisha.

“What is it?”

When Crogiri asked, Leisha immediately replied.

“Have you heard the news about the Spirit King of Life?”

“Are you referring to Shaikar?”

“That’s correct.”

Crogiri remembered. They were like brothers, born together on this land and maintaining the balance of the spirit realm.

While Shaikar chose to protect this land to the end, for some reason, Crogiri opposed them.

The forces of darkness had borrowed the power of the Thousand-Year Fox to glimpse the future.

It was a future where the continent would fall into ruin due to humanity’s atrocities.

It was for this reason they had wreaked havoc in the empire 300 years ago.

“I have heard a rumor about Shaikar. He claimed that his adopted daughter was murdered by humans, right?”

“Indeed. After that, he cut ties with humans and retreated solely to his own territory.”

Since then, all communications with other forces had been severed.

It was a heartbreaking matter for a brother, but also remarkably foolish.

“I warned you not to trust humans.”

“Indeed, the future we foresaw that day seems accurate.”

To prevent that future, the dark spirits aimed to reduce the continent’s population by half.

Numerous great wizards and warriors attempted to stop them, but only thousands more fell.

Ultimately, this situation led to the expulsion of dark spirits by the Great Sage.

The dark spirits could not leave their realm due to Dantia’s barrier.

However, the one who lifted that barrier was the current emperor, Kamain.

For some reason, he opposed Dantia’s ideologies, and lacking insight, it seemed a good opportunity for Crogiri.

“How was the emperor able to lift that barrier?”

“Indeed…”

No one had been able to lift the Great Sage’s barrier until now, yet the emperor did it effortlessly.

It felt both fortunate and unsettling.

He decided to think about the matter after the future was altered.

“It’s already happening.”

As expected, a multitude of soldiers blocked the advance of the dark spirits.

Leading them was none other than Princess Mirona, the current president of the Aligieri Student Council.

“Just as expected.”

Crogiri smirked at the sight.

While there was certainly a difference in power, the more precise reason was that this was the scene he had seen from the predicted future.

Thus, he had deployed the spirit legion in advance.

While dark spirits and soldiers clashed, he spoke to the princess.

“I’ll offer you a chance. If you abandon this place now…”

Swoosh!—

Ignoring his words, the princess unsheathed her sword and launched a slash.

Crogiri could have deflected the strike with the back of his hand, but a cut was left on it.

“Indeed…”

There was a reason she stood alone against him.

Despite being a student, she possessed power that rivaled or exceeded that of the knight commander.

It was certainly a natural-born talent.

Even more astonishing was that her abilities had not yet fully blossomed.

“Now that I think about it, someone comes to mind.”

The Great Sage had a disciple.

Countless wished to learn, but she was someone he had seen with his own eyes.

“No, in fact, she is virtually identical.”

“What are you saying?”

“She is too precious to kill.”

Questions were shoved aside.

At Crogiri’s gesture, the two top-tier spirits leaped forward.

Dracma and Leisha quickly charged at the princess.

The impact created a sonic boom, but the princess reacted and blocked with her sword.

Bam!—

The clash of wings and sword echoed thunderously.

But after blocking once, Mirona’s expression contorted.

Although she looked small, her opponent was a top-tier spirit.

Crunch!—

“Gack!”

Like a bat, Dracma sunk its fangs into Mirona’s neck.

Savoring the taste of blood, he turned to Leisha, who was about to attack from the side.

“Don’t interfere. If you do, the taste will lose its appeal.”

“Tsk.”

The remark sounded unlucky, but Leisha held her ground, having decided she did not need to intervene.

“Why is this so?”

“Hmm?”

“You and the beastmen, why are you so desperate to devour humans?”

For Mirona, the Magical Banquet was a festival she’d never experienced before that moment.

With immense expectations, she did everything she could as president not to spoil it.

Occasionally, she even stayed up all night, getting scolded by the committee members.

She had long been looking forward to it.

It was an inner peace that had come after a long time.

Once this passed, who knew when it would return.

`I just want to be honest.`

Life in the palace was frankly terrifying.

With excessive pressure, it would not be strange to swing a sword unconsciously at any moment.

She wanted to throw everything away.

She wished to transfer her status as a princess to another.

For her, Aligieri Academy was a garden where one could finally experience the rewards of hard work.

When she heard there were forces aiming to destroy that academy, her body trembled.

It was a primal instinct now yelling at her.

She had to stop that force immediately.

“Why the rush?”

Dracma pressed forward with the power of his wings, sending Mirona flying.

Overwhelmed by strength, she landed and surrounded her sword with aura to its max.

Sure enough, Dracma flew at a speed surpassing sound.

Timing his approach, she unleashed a slash that reached the sky.

“Why, you ask?”

Dracma caught the sword with his clawed foot.

Even with the clouds torn asunder above, Dracma withstood the attack and effortlessly grasped the sword.

He suppressed the shimmering blade with his mana.

It was as if an ordinary person could touch molten lava without harm.

Crack!—

With a grip using his bat-like toes, he shattered the sword.

Mirona’s expression twisted in shock at this revelation.

Countless tentacles emerged from Dracma’s body, binding her.

“Instead of killing you, I will take your blood.”

“Ahhh!!”

A dark liquid began to flow from the black tentacles like a hose.

She felt the pain of her life force being drained but had no strength to struggle.

She was incredibly powerless.

All her efforts to grow strong for this day seemed meaningless.

She couldn’t possibly be her opponent.

What would Lyman do in this situation?

Her consciousness began to fade.

“Finish this quickly and follow me.”

“Understood.”

Just as she had seen in the future.

No matter how talented Princess Mirona was, she could do nothing before a top-tier spirit.

There were no variables.

It was clear that the future was heading for ruin.

Nothing would change unless they took action—

Slash!—

At that moment, a wind magic cut through and severed all tentacles.

Startled, Dracma retreated as two mysterious figures appeared and supported Mirona.

“Who are you?”

One was a knight in armor.

He appeared to be Knight Commander Luthis, but his true identity was the top-tier spirit of life, Spike.

“I shall deliver judgment upon the wicked writhing in the muck!”

The other was a small-framed girl.

A girl who looked like an elementary student wore a fox mask and struck a strange pose.

And cast an absurdly childish line.

“Assassination Ninja! Appearing!~”

Whoosh—

An odd wind blew.

“…?”

“…?”

Crogiri and the dark spirits collectively wore expressions that said they just tasted something foul.

Who were these newcomers?

And what was with that childish declaration like theater?

She was truly a little girl, but…

“Uh…?”

Finally able to open her eyes, Mirona recognized the girl.

“Senior Mary?”

“Mary? That name is new to me. I am the Assassination Ninja! Fox Mask-sama!”

“….”

Truly, Senior Mary remained unchanged, engaging in all sorts of antics even in such a grave situation.

But what should she do now?

Was she supposed to play along with this act?

Just as she pondered briefly,

“Although I don’t know what this is, wipe them all out!”

The dark spirits charged towards them.

The soldiers holding them back finally hit their limits and began to falter.

But something else appeared from the side to thwart them.

Remarkably, these were spirits from Shaikar’s territory.

“What the hell!”

“Why are they here!”

The dark spirits were taken aback by the unexpected reinforcements.

Suddenly, among the spirits that emerged, a gigantic turtle spirit let out a resounding roar.

On its shell, a person rode.

“Shaikar! Is this enough?”

“You’ve adapted well.”

“Of course. It was an unparalleled opportunity for me.”

Papiyas from Totema End Hall, the one bringing the spirits, spoke joyfully.

Once a prince, he possessed outstanding sensitivity as a spirit mage.

Though it had been blocked by his father, since that train incident, he could hone his talents in Shaikar’s territory.

Leading such a large army was a testament to that growth.

“Now, charge!”

The legions of life spirits and dark spirits clashed fiercely.

What was once a disadvantage in numbers and strength reversed in an instant.

It was a good turn of events, but Mirona was equally confused.

However, that discussion would have to wait; now was the time to protect this situation.

“You lost quite a bit of blood, huh? Allow me.”

Senior Mary extended her hand towards Mirona.

With her odd speech, she was still of help, and for that, Mirona felt grateful.

“Whatever this is… thank you very much.”

“You’re now a comrade who will traverse the battlefield of judgment together. Each one is precious.”

As Mary helped Mirona to her feet, she handed something to Mary.

It was the fox mask that Mary wore.

“You are now one of our Assassination Team!”

“Um…?”

“The emblem of our Assassination Team. Though the name is fearsome, we fight for the freedom of humanity!”

In that moment, a thought crossed Mirona’s mind.

If Senior Mary were to debut as a novelist, she would surely become popular on a continental scale.

Wouldn’t she be upset if she didn’t get to join in on this play?

“Ah, understood.”

In the end, Mirona had no choice but to wear the mask.

The moment she did, vitality began to surge within her again.

It felt as if she was regaining the blood she had lost moments ago. And the warmth of a heartfelt creation reached her from the mask.

This feeling was akin to… a mother’s touch.

“Assassination!!”

“Ch-Checkmate!”

Mirona inadvertently shouted that bizarre phrase along with the weird call.

“Stop that useless act!”

From a distance, Spike, who was engaged in combat with the dark spirits, shouted at them.

“And, Saint! No, Princess! Take this!”

Having corrected the start of his sentence, Spike drew a sword and threw it to Mirona.

It was the Holy Sword Rozaria, locked in a pure white sheath.

The moment she grasped it, Mirona’s heart thumped wildly.

Thump!—

‘What’s this?’

Having held it once, it felt as if it was glued to her hand and wouldn’t let go.

No, to be precise, it felt as though her hand and the sword had completely fused.

At the moment she held onto the hilt, every cell from her fingertips to her shoulder seemed to dance in excitement.

It felt like that feeling when she reunited with a friend she thought had died.

`So familiar.`

What was this overwhelming sense of déjà vu?

It felt too familiar, as if she had swung it hundreds of times long ago.

Could this be a facet of talent?

Both this situation and the sudden appearance of this sword were filled with questions.

But without realizing it, Mirona drew the sword from its sheath.

Swish—

A bright red blade awaited her.

A red sword that appeared as if it were dyed by roses.

Mirona involuntarily shed tears.

“….”

The Holy Sword Rozaria, too, seemed to glisten with dew, like it was shedding tears.

“Ha, getting a new sword is pointless!”

Dracma charged at Mirona as before.

It would make no difference even if she switched weapons when he had the upper hand in strength.

Swoosh!—

But a surprising event occurred.

The wings of Dracma, previously generating a sonic boom, were… severed.

“Gahhh!”

The speed and slicing ability were incomparable to before.

Even Mirona, having achieved that, was astonished by herself.

The chilling yet sturdy sensation felt within her hand.

Shaikar, watching from a distance, quietly whispered.

“It’s been 30 years.”

While everyone was stunned by Mirona’s powerful might, Mary was also holding her ground against the dark spirits.

She soon discovered Leisha, the lizard-like spirit.

“You there, are you also a ninja like me?”

“Ninja?”

The top-tier spirit Leisha tilted its head.

As if resonating with kin, Mary looked at Leisha with serious eyes.

“Whatever it is, you would do well to disappear.”

“Hehe. Little one? It seems I must show you my true power now.”

In that moment, Leisha felt a chill.

A tremendous pressure emanating from Mary rang alarm bells in him.

“You… Just who…!”

Horns sprouted from her head.

They reminded one unmistakably of a demon lord, but it was no mere demon.

Being a top-tier spirit, Leisha could sense it.

A Demon King.

“A Demon King who will ruin the world…!”

Why was she helping humans?

Then, Mary smirked, speaking up.

“You’re mistaken in two ways.”

“What?”

“Firstly, I am indeed a demon king, but I will not bring ruin to the world. I intend to use this power righteously.”

Justice is born from evil, after all.

“And secondly, that’s your biggest mistake.”

Wings sprouted from Mary’s back.

“Just where do you see me as a little one?”

The chilling declaration of an awakened Demon King reverberated.

“That makes no sense.”

Crogiri arrived in Aligieri as he had foreseen all future events.

The humidity and winds felt as he stepped on the sea were as he had predicted.

He had anticipated the princess blocking his path.

“But this situation…”

This situation was not part of the future.

A little girl with a fox mask appeared, the army of life spirits intervened, and Princess Mirona now wielded a holy sword she had never seen before.

And the most unexpected of all was the Demon King.

`There’s no doubt. That energy of the Demon King is the same as I felt 300 years ago!`

The future had completely unraveled.

Absurd variables struck one after another.

All this time, he had been sharpening his sword, believing the continent would perish because of humans.

But as the foretold future unravels, it felt as if everything was being denied.

`Who… who…!`

Who created these variables?

*

“Huh?”

Suddenly, my ear itched.

Is someone talking about me?

I dug into my ear and rubbed my hand on my clothes.

‘By now, Mary may have joined the battle.’

In disguise as Enviel, I was controlling the people of the Bloodymir School.

Stopping them from attacking was child’s play.

Because at a single word from Enviel, they acted like fanatics.

‘So this isn’t a magic school, but more of a cult.’

The beastmen were still rampaging, but by manipulating the school members, I could suppress them easily.

Thanks to receiving 20% of Lyman’s mana, no one doubted my strength either.

So convenient, so comfortable!

‘That aside…’

I looked at the fishing line tied around my wrist.

The blue-glowing fishing line was shaking increasingly.

‘Don’t hesitate, Jenny.’

The time was nigh.

To survive as the Academy Scammer.

 

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